Chapter 36

We went to visit Two-Bit on a Friday, and Matty don't work weekends. Which was good, neither one of us wanted to go back if Two-Bit wasn't gonna be there. But as we left Friday afternoon , Dale told us he was gonna hire someone else while Two-Bit was gone, so me and Matty wouldn't have to do as much work.

I wasn't so sure how I felt about that. It just... wouldn't seem right to work with someone that wasn't Two-Bit. And I couldn't help but wonder what they would be like. Would they crash jokes, or be some boring stiff guy? Would he try and show off and lift more then one box at a time? Or would he be all work and no play. And, would he be a greaser? He sure as hell wouldn't be a Soc, which was good. Socs don't have to lift a finger for money, their parents would just hand it to 'em with one word. But just cause he wouldn't be a Soc doesn't automatically make 'em a greaser.

I asked Matty what she thought about it when we were watching the sunset on a Sunday. "I don't know what to think. Work just won't be the same without Two-Bit." She answered.

"Yeah, I know what ya mean. But, it's not like Two-Bit will be gone forever. He'll get better and come back to work, someday." I reminded her. "Yeah I guess you're right." She said. I then gave her a kiss on the forehead, and she pulled me in for one on the lips.

After a while into the kiss, I knew it was alright to slowly put my tounge in her mouth. She did too, but only gave a little. I remember Two-Bit once saying most greaser girls like to shove their tounges halfway down your thoart. Not Matty though, she had some self-respect. Which is one of the things I love about her.

...

Matty and I weren't prepared for what was waiting for us on work on Monday. When we got up it was almost like a normal day, which was what we wanted it to be like. We didn't wanna worry about what the new guy would be like, ya dig?

So Matty got up first and got ready. Once I was up, she was walking out of the bathroom dressed, hair done up and makeup all on. One of these days I'm gonna wake up before her. I think she looks cute in the morning. Once I was done, Darry was up and getting ready. I walked into the living room where Laura was watching the morning news with Matty. Soda was asleep, he doesn't usually get outta bed till breakfast is ready.

Today Darry was making waffles, something we don't have much cause we all like pancakes more. But they were good, the smell of 'em got Sodapop outta bed. I like drenching mine in syrup and butter. Soda does too while Darry likes peanutbutter. Laura got the idea of putting powered sugar on 'em, so her and Matty tried that and they like it.

Once we were finished eating, Matty and I were off to work while Darry was helping Soda find his DX shirt. I like walking to work in the morning just as much as walking home in the afternoon. I like how the sun looks in the morning. And it's cool seeing everyone else going to work in the morning.

When we got to work Dale was waiting in the front for us. " 'Morning." He greeted us. "Where's the new guy?" I asked him.

"In the back, going to the bathroom. I think you guys would like 'im. He's a nice guy and has lot of experience so he'll be a hard worker. And I know you guys, so you'll be welcoming." Answered Dale.

Then, the door to the back opened and our new co-worker walked out...and me and Matty were speechless. He had his apron on and looked ready to work. But there was something about him was different. He was, well I don't know how I'm suppose to put this...

Black.

There isn't many black people in Tulsa, it's mostly white people. And 'sides, there's still segergation laws like seprate water fountains and sections in resturants. People are trying to break them though, and they're getting pretty close to doing it. I just stay out of it.

I don't have anything aganist black people. Really, treating them like garabage would just make me like a Soc. So I treat 'em like I would treat anyone else. That is, when I meet one. Which I haven't, well at least not directly. Until now.

He walked over to us slowly. He seemed shy, like Nick. He walked over next to Dale. "Um hey I'm Ben, nice to meet you." He said holding out his hand for us to shake. Matty was hesitate, so I shook it first. "Hey, I'm Ponyboy." I said.

"Cool name." Ben said. He was one of the first people who hasn't asked, "That's your real name?" I was actually already starting to like him. Once I was done shaking Ben's hand it was Matty's turn. She slowly took her hand out and shook it slowly as well. "I'm Matty." She said then stopped shaking. Ben smiled smally and said, "Nice to meet both of you." And put his hands into his pocket.

"Well, he'll be in the back most of the time, but I hope all three of you will become friends." Said Dale. Then him and Ben went in the back to get working while I began sweeping the floors and Matty went to the register.

"He seems like a nice guy." I said to Matty after awhile. "I don't know," She responded looking down. "Why?" I asked.

"I haven't ever told you this, but in my old town there was this hood who was black, and he was real violent. He beat up one of my friends after he rear-ended his car. When I told 'im to stop he almost hit me but I was able to run away. Ever since I just don't feel safe around negros." She explained. I didn't like how she said the word, "Nergo". It sounded like how Socs say, "Greasers".

I've known Matty for almost three years, and never knew she felt this way 'bout black people. She didn't seem like the kind of person that would.

I did feel sorry for her about the other guy almost beating her up though.

"Matty, I'm sorry about what that guy almost did to you. But that doesn't mean all black people are like that. That's like all greasers are foul-mouthed jailbirds, and we know that's not true. And from what I can tell Ben is a nice guy, so just try and give him a chance." I said to her.

Matty looked at me, then outside the window, then finally back at me. "I guess you're right." She said. "We can try talking to him on our lunch break and getting to know him." I offered her. "Ok," She answered.

...

So on our lunch break the three of us sat outside in the back. Ben brought a PB&J sandwhich along with some plain looking cookies and a bottle of Pepsi for a drink. I brought you too. "You like Pepsi too?" I asked him to start a conversation. "I'm a Pepsi." He answered. "Sounds like Ponyboy." Matty commented and Ben smiled. He look friendly when he smiled.

"So, did you just move here?" I asked. "Yeah, on the other side of town." He repiled taking a bite of his sandwhich. "Oh, we live down there too." Said Matty. "Is it just you?" I asked. "No, I have a mom and a younger sister with me too."

"What's you're sister's name?" Matty asked. "Ellen, but she hates to be called that, so we just call her Elle." Ben answered. "That's like me. My real name is Madeline, but I hate it, so I tell people to call me Matty." She explained. "You look more like a Matty anyway." Ben said, Matty smiled. "How old is your sister?" I asked Ben. "Fifteen."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen, this is gonna be my last year of school." He said. "Ours too." I told him. "Maybe I'll see ya to around school." Ben said smiling. "Yeah, you will." Said Matty.

"Can I ask ya guys something?" Ben asked us, getting serious. "Sure what?" I asked. "Is there alotta greasers in town?"

"Yeah, there's some, how come?"

"Well, ya pretty can't tell, but I'm kinda a greaser, and Ell is too. But my mom raised us to be polite and do good in school, so some of my friends in my old town so I was weak." He explained.

"There's nothing wrong with being that way when you're a greaser, Ben. Me and Pony are greasers too, but we're a lot like you." Matty explained to him. Ben then looked at us and smiled bigger then ever before. "Ya know what? You two dig ok." He told us. "Thanks, Ben. You do too." I said.

...

When work was over and me and Matty walked home with Ben. He's real interesting, he has a story for almost everything. He sometimes likes going to drag races to, so Soda will like that bout him. But he also says he likes the drive-in just the same. He says it's been awhile since he's sit back and watched a sunset, but maybe he'll get Ell and try to sometime. Matty offered for him to watch one with us, and he said he would like that.

Ben's house came before ours, but he only lives a few houses tomorrow. "So I'll see ya two tomorrow?" He asked us before going inside. "Only if ya come to work tomorrow." I said. "I will." Ben said and smiled before going into his house.

"So watdaya think of him now?" I asked Matty. "He's real nice, I like him." She answered. "That's great." I said. "I can't help but notice we have a lot in common with him, he's a lot like us. But, some people think we have to be different, just cause our skin color is." Matty poundered.

"People can make no sense sometimes and judge somebody for the sillyest things. But I hope that'll change soon."

"Yeah me too."

Hi! Sorry this took a few days, I just started another story. Anyway, i just wanna say I finally have 100 reviews on this story. Woo-Yoo! I'm really happy, this is a first for me. Thanks, beba78 (my 100th reviewer). So I hope you guys liked this, what do you think of Ben? And btw the story right now takes place in 1967.

Stay Gold,

ClarkKentsgirl96